Local student is White House intern

Reagan High School graduate Zak Newman scored possibly one of the most competitive mail sorting jobs in the country.

Newman is one of about 100 summer interns at the White House, chosen from more than 6,000 applicants, according to a news release.

“I feel very lucky to have received the position,” he said in the release.

Newman is spending his summer working in the Correspondence Office, where he’ll help to make sure the White House mail makes to the right departments.

The Correspondence Office also operates the White House Comment Line and drafts and produces presidential proclamations, messages and greetings.

He’ll also get to attend weekly lectures, help with social events and volunteer on community service projects.

Despite the much-ballyhooed era of openness, the White House is keeping a tight rein on this new crop of summer interns and won’t allow phone interviews. The North East Independent School District released this statement from Newman: “I’m very excited for this summer and all the great people I’m going to have a chance to work with.”

Newman left for Washington late last month but returned to San Antonio briefly for his high school graduation ceremony. He has also worked as a Congressional Page for the U.S. House of Representatives and in the Democratic Cloakroom. Newman will attend Yale in the fall.